PPI Student Group

Public Policy Initiative Student Group is a volunteer public policy research organization run by students, for students who want to work together to analyze and develop solutions for current public policy problems. Comprised of five research teams, the students publish a blog on topics concerning: Energy and Environmental Policy; Health, Education, and Welfare Policy; International Trade and Foreign Policy; Science and Technology; and Fiscal and Monetary Policy.

Featured Blog Posts

One out of every 13 households in the United States lives without a checking or saving account. The lack of access to traditional banking services makes millions of households turn to alternative financial services that charge exorbitant fees, leaving the unbanked and underbanked trapped in a cycle of poverty. Improved financial literacy among low-income consumers and the introduction of affordable products from private banks are necessary to increase banking participation and democratize access to basic banking services.

Despite heavy rains and snowfall last winter, the water issues in the western United States have not been resolved for the long term. Groundwater tables are still low after being relied upon heavily during the previous drought years. The underlying legislative and infrastructural conditions prior to the drought have not changed. A sustainable, free-market solution, addressing future water crises could be a market for water trading. Instead of the government allocating water resources, water trading incentivizes and monetizes water conservation on the demand side while also helping water get to where it is most needed [1].

PENN WHARTON PPIDISCLAIMER:

The Public Policy Initiative Student Group is housed under the Penn Wharton Public Policy Initiative (PPI). Penn Wharton PPI and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania do not provide any endorsement, either implied or explicit, in research or activities produced by the Public Policy Initiative Student Group or for the student blog Wonk Tank.